Four Pope Airmen Injured in Kuwait Crash

Posted December 9, 1999 6:00 a.m. EST

RALEIGH — Four people fromPope Air Force Basewere injured in Friday morning's fatal crash at Kuwait City International Airport.

Technical Sgt. Eugene Mellott and Airman 1st Class Andrew Doss, both of the 43rd Communications Squadron, are being treated at local hospitals. Two members of the23rd Fighter Groupwere also on the plane; one was treated for minor injuries and released from a local hospital.

Three servicemen were killed in the crash, which is currently under investigation.

The U.S. Air ForceC-130, a transport plane, was carrying 96 people when it made an emergency landing at the airport, after the crew declared an in-flight emergency.

"They were trying to land in terrible, terrible weather," President Bill Clinton said. "I thank them for their service and extended my deepest condolences to the families of those who were lost."

The C-130 was stationed at Little Rock Air Force base and was carrying troops to locations throughout Kuwait at the time of the incident, Air Force officials in Washington said.

The Pope airmen were in Kuwait as part of Operation Southern Watch. There are more than 200 airmen in the region.
From staff and wire reports.

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